The Ultimate Self-Launched Adventure in Georgia

Fly into Tbilisi International Airport (TBS), just 17km from the city centre. Skip the private transfer and take the express bus (Route 37) or a Bolt/Yandex taxi for around £3–5 into town. Check into a well-rated guesthouse or boutique hostel in the Abanotubani or Fabrika district. In the afternoon, head out on a self-guided walk through the old town: visit the 13th-century Metekhi Church, ride the cable car up to Narikala Fortress (cable car ~£1 return) for sweeping views over the Mtkvari River, and wander the carved-balcony backstreets. End the evening with a classic Georgian spread at a local restaurant — try khinkali dumplings and khachapuri with a glass of Rkatsiteli white wine.

🚌Airport to city centre: Bus 37 (~£0.50) or Bolt/Yandex taxi (~£3–5)

🛏Fabrika Hostel or similar rated guesthouse in Tbilisi Old Town (~£15–20/night in a private room)

• →Self-guided walk through Tbilisi Old Town
• →Visit Metekhi Church (free entry)
• →Cable car to Narikala Fortress (~£1 return)
• →Explore Abanotubani sulphur baths district
• →Welcome dinner at a local Georgian restaurant

After breakfast, head to Didube bus station in Tbilisi and catch a shared marshrutka to Stepantsminda (~3.5 hrs, ~£3–4). These run throughout the morning and are the standard way locals and travellers get to Kazbegi. Alternatively, book a seat in a shared taxi from Didube (~£5–7). On arrival, grab a traditional lunch of khinkali and fresh bread at a local guesthouse restaurant — you can even ask to join a cooking session if your host is up for it. In the afternoon, hike up to the iconic Gergeti Trinity Church (2170m), a 3–4 hour round trip of about 6km with 500m ascent — no guide needed, the trail is clear and well-walked. Check into a guesthouse in Stepantsminda with views of Mount Kazbegi. In the evening, head into the village for dinner at a family-run restaurant.

🚌Marshrutka from Tbilisi Didube to Stepantsminda (~£3–4, ~3.5 hrs)

🛏Rooms Kazbegi budget alternative: Guesthouse Nino or similar (~£18–25/night private room with breakfast)

• →Shared marshrutka from Tbilisi Didube station to Stepantsminda (~£3–4)
• →Self-guided hike to Gergeti Trinity Church (free, 3–4 hrs, 6km, 500m ascent)
• →Views of Mount Kazbegi and the surrounding Caucasus highlands
• →Dinner at a local family restaurant in Stepantsminda

After breakfast at your guesthouse, arrange a shared taxi or local driver from Stepantsminda to the Truso Valley trailhead (~£8–10 per person, easy to arrange the evening before via your guesthouse). The Truso Valley trail (14km, ~4 hrs, 350m ascent) is one of Georgia's most spectacular and accessible hikes — no guide required. Walk past ancient stone towers, mineral springs stained vivid orange and yellow, otherworldly travertine formations, and abandoned mountain villages. Bring a packed lunch from the village or ask your guesthouse to prepare one. Return to Stepantsminda by local taxi. Spend the evening relaxing at the guesthouse or dining in the village.

🚌Shared local taxi from Stepantsminda to Truso Valley trailhead and back (~£8–12 per person, arranged via guesthouse)

🛏Same guesthouse in Stepantsminda as Day 2 (~£18–25/night)

• →Self-guided Truso Valley hike (14km, ~4 hrs, free trail)
• →Mineral springs and travertine formations
• →Ancient defensive towers and abandoned villages
• →Packed lunch in the valley

This morning, arrange a shared taxi or local driver from Stepantsminda to Juta village (~£6–8 per person, ~45 min via the Sno Valley road). Juta sits at 2160m beneath the jagged Chaukhi Massif — Georgia's answer to the Dolomites. Book a beginner-friendly horseback ride with a local handler directly in the village (~£15–20 for 2 hrs) — this is easy to sort on arrival, or ask your Stepantsminda guesthouse to pre-arrange. Ride out to Chaukhi Lake and enjoy the dramatic alpine scenery. Take a short hike up to Zeta Camp viewpoint (1–2 hrs). Bring a packed lunch. Return to Stepantsminda in the afternoon for your final night in the mountains.

🚌Shared local taxi Stepantsminda to Juta and back (~£6–8 per person)

🛏Same guesthouse in Stepantsminda as Day 2–3 (~£18–25/night)

• →Shared taxi to Juta village (~£6–8 per person)
• →Beginner-friendly horseback ride to Chaukhi Lake (~£15–20, 2 hrs, book locally)
• →Short hike to Zeta Camp viewpoint (free)
• →Packed lunch in the alpine valley
• →Final evening in Stepantsminda

After breakfast, head back to Tbilisi by marshrutka (~£3–4) then connect onward to Kakheti's wine heartland. A direct marshrutka from Tbilisi (Isani or Samgori station) to Telavi runs regularly (~2.5 hrs, ~£3). Alternatively, book a shared taxi for more flexibility. En route, stop at Ananuri Fortress — a dramatic clifftop castle complex on the Georgian Military Highway. Arrive in Kakheti in time for lunch at a local vineyard. In the afternoon, walk the scenic trail from Mosmieri to Kondoli and explore the winery at leisure. Book a qvevri wine tasting directly at a local vineyard (~£5–8 pp). Check into a characterful guesthouse or wine-country B&B in the Telavi area — many offer room and breakfast with wine included.

🚌Marshrutka Stepantsminda–Tbilisi (~£3–4), then marshrutka Tbilisi–Telavi (~£3, ~2.5 hrs). Request stop near Ananuri from driver.

🛏Wine-country guesthouse near Telavi or Tsinandali, e.g. Guesthouse Marani or similar (~£20–28/night with breakfast)

• →Marshrutka from Stepantsminda to Tbilisi then onward to Telavi (~£6–7 total)
• →Stop at Ananuri Fortress en route (entry ~£1–2)
• →Qvevri wine tasting at a local vineyard (~£5–8 pp, book direct)
• →Self-guided walk through Mosmieri to Kondoli vineyards (free)
• →Check-in at wine-country guesthouse

Fuel up on a hearty guesthouse breakfast, then rent an e-bike from a local hire shop in Telavi (~£15–20/day including helmet). The 43km route to Kvareli winds through vineyards and orchards with views across the Alazani Valley. Stop at Gremi Monastery — a beautifully preserved 16th-century hilltop citadel with free or low-cost entry (~£1). Arrive in Kvareli for lunch at a local family restaurant or canteen. Pick up churchkhela (the grape-and-nut sweet) from a roadside stall or market. Return by marshrutka or shared taxi (~£3–5). Spend the evening at your guesthouse with a glass of local wine and optional à la carte dinner.

🚌E-bike for the day (~£15–20); return to Telavi area by marshrutka or shared taxi (~£3–5)

🛏Same guesthouse as Day 5 (~£20–28/night)

• →E-bike rental in Telavi (~£15–20/day, book via local hire shop or GetYourGuide)
• →43km e-bike ride to Kvareli through Alazani Valley vineyards
• →Visit Gremi Monastery hilltop citadel (~£1 entry)
• →Lunch in Kvareli at a local family restaurant
• →Buy churchkhela from a local market stall

Start the morning at Telavi's lively farmers' market — pick up local cheese, fresh herbs, and honey for a snack. Then hop on a marshrutka or shared taxi to Sighnaghi (~40 min, ~£2–3), the charming 18th-century hilltop town known for its cobbled streets, colourful balconies and ancient fortified walls. Spend a couple of hours exploring at your own pace — views over the Alazani Valley and the snow-capped Caucasus are stunning and entirely free. Have lunch at a local café in town. In the afternoon, catch a marshrutka back to Tbilisi (~2 hrs, ~£3). Head straight to the famous Abanotubani sulphur baths for a soak — private cabins cost around £5–10 per person per hour. End the trip with a celebratory farewell dinner at a favourite old-town restaurant.

🚌Marshrutka Telavi–Sighnaghi (~£2–3); marshrutka Sighnaghi–Tbilisi (~£3, ~2 hrs)

🛏Tbilisi guesthouse or hostel private room (~£15–20/night)

• →Telavi farmers' market browse (free)
• →Marshrutka to Sighnaghi (~£2–3, ~40 min)
• →Self-guided walk around Sighnaghi old town and fortress walls (free)
• →Views over Alazani Valley and Greater Caucasus
• →Marshrutka back to Tbilisi (~£3, ~2 hrs)
• →Sulphur bath soak in Abanotubani (~£5–10/hr private cabin)
• →Farewell dinner at a local Tbilisi restaurant

After breakfast, enjoy a final wander through Tbilisi's old town backstreets. Pick up a bottle of local Saperavi or Rkatsiteli wine, a handwoven souvenir, or some churchkhela from the Dry Bridge Market. When it's time to head to the airport, take a Bolt/Yandex taxi (~£4–6) or the airport bus (Route 37, ~£0.50) from the city centre. Tbilisi International Airport is just 17km away — allow 30–40 minutes.

🚌City centre to TBS Airport: Bolt/Yandex taxi (~£4–6) or Bus 37 (~£0.50)

🛏Check-out (no overnight stay)

• →Final stroll through Tbilisi Old Town (free)
• →Browse Dry Bridge Market for souvenirs
• →Pick up local wine or snacks for the journey home
• →Bolt/Yandex taxi or bus to Tbilisi International Airport (~£1–6)